Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Bachelor of Science with Honours (Fnd) - BSHF
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit
Recruitable Target

Accreditation

Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Programme Offerings

Full-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Sandwich Year Out

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

The generic aims that apply to all the School's natural science programmes are to: offer a variety of programmes and learning opportunities in the biosciences, within an integrated modular system that matches students' interests and needs; give a high quality and varied learning experience to students from a range of backgrounds and educational experiences; provide a supportive and stimulating environment for student-centred learning, encouraging students to take responsibility at an appropriate level and to develop their full potential; integrate theory and practice through diverse learning environments in the classroom, laboratory and field; produce graduates with the appropriate subject knowledge and key skills to pursue a career within the subject area, in general employment or further study. encourage students to engage with the development of employability skills by completing a self-awareness statement. Forensic Anthropology is a field within biological anthropology which is principally concerned with the description and identification of human remains for medico-legal purposes. In addition to the aims for the main target award, the sandwich programme aims to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give the students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study, as well as attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Understand the aims of Forensic Anthropology, which uses the techniques of biological anthropology to describe and identify human remains.
2.
Recognise the implications of professional ethics and standards and apply them.
3.
Evaluate the significance of data, draw appropriate conclusions and place them in a medico-legal/scientific context.
4.
Use appropriate resources (e.g. IT, Library) to find and organise information.
5.
Recognise and apply safe working practice in the laboratory and the field.
6.
Employ a range of methods for the collection, analysis and presentation of information.
7.
Plan, design and execute a piece of research and produce a concise and precise final report correctly referenced throughout.
8.
Communicate effectively in written, verbal and visual forms.
9.
Use the internet, databases, spreadsheets and word processing packages.
10.
Apply statistical and numerical analysis to data.
11.
Operate as an effective member of a team.
12.
Understand the biological and physical factors which make humans uniquely individual.
13.
Develop the ability for independent learning and employment e.g. working independently, manage time/tasks appropriately, organisational skills.
14.
Demonstrate an understanding of and apply an inclusive and decolonial perspective to anthropological knowledge and research.
15.
Understand the medico-legal parameters and techniques for the location, recovery and identification of human remains.
16.
Understand the reconstruction of aspects of human identity and life history from the skeleton.
17.
Understand the physical settings and contexts in which human remains are found.
18.
Understand the legal and scientific requirements of an expert witness report.
19.
Understand human skeletal biology and anatomy.
20.
Analyse, synthesise, and summarise information.
21.
Apply knowledge and understanding to problem solving and hypothesis testing.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The acquisition of knowledge is promoted via formal taught sessions, primarily lectures supported by practical and fieldwork sessions. Various levels of understanding are facilitated through seminars, tutorials, field projects, group work and independent study. Knowledge is assessed via examination (mainly short answer questions) and some coursework. Higher levels of Understanding are assessed by examination (essay/interpretative questions) and coursework elements such as field reports and seminar presentations with question & answer sessions. Cognitive skills are developed in many taught sessions, with an increasing emphasis as students progress from level 4 through level 6. Such skills are especially developed during level 6 modules, especially the research project module. The application of thinking skills in a work environment can be developed in the Work Based Learning (WBL) module. Essay/interpretative exam questions are used to assess students ability for critical thinking. Coursework elements such as field/laboratory reports and in particular the honours project/work-based learning module allows students to demonstrate the full range of their cognitive skills. Practical skills are taught during practical classes (a component of most modules) and fieldwork. Core principles and minimum standards required for field and laboratory work are introduced at level 4, and further developed at level 5. Students develop these skills independently at level 6 when completing the research project. If the WBL module is chosen these skills will be developed in an applied work place setting. Practical skills are assessed by submission of practical files, and field/laboratory reports. The research project/WBL portfolio and other level 6 reports allow students to demonstrate the full range of skills they have acquired. As well as having the opportunity to develop transferable skills in all academic modules, key skills are specifically taught in specially designed modules at level 4 and level 5. Teaching in these modules is in small tutorial groups and via seminars, computer sessions, role play and workshops. Key skills are assessed through coursework at all levels in all modules and specifically in the modules mentioned above. Benchmark requirements for scientific writing, oral presentation, poster presentation and field reports are provided in the key skills folder distributed to all students. These form the basis for assessing student skills in coursework assignments.

Opportunities for work related learning

Work-related learning opportunities are available through the routes of employer seminars, guest lectures / workshops, employer-driven assignments and contact during fieldwork. The Work-based Learning placement (135 hrs) and the Sandwich placement (12 months) offer the opportunity for students to gain work experience with a relevant professional organisation. The School has a good record of providing relevant vocational training for students. Students are supported by the Professional Training Tutor who is responsible for advertising placements and promoting vocational training to students. Appropriate Work-based Learning or Sandwich placements (home or abroad) include working with e.g. forensic units, archaeological excavations and units, hospitals and museums.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

In level 6, in the first semester students must pick one from the following: Forensic Anthropological Genetics (6311NATSCI),Advanced Forensic Methods (6101FSBMOL),Forensic archaeology (6318NATSCI) and Work Based Learning (6300NATSCI). In the second semester students must pick one of the following: Forensic Bioscience (6214NATSCI) or Expert Witness (6103FSBMOL). Study Abroad Students will … For more content click the Read More button below.

Structure

Entry Requirements

A levels
Access awards
BTECs
GCSEs and equivalents
IELTS
International Baccalaureate
Irish awards
OCR Cambridge Technical
T levels
UCAS points

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH15-01) sociology, social policy and anthropology